Home bowling trainer



May 16, 1961 J. P. VITEK 2,984,019

HOME BOWLING TRAINER Filed March 17, 1960 w ,2" ,6 I /Z0 /6 r22 H .I. I. Z l5 Z0 22 /6 I I I K I M v I I W 30 I /0 I \Zfi I I /4 I I4 E I Z6 Z4 M 2+ 24 JOHN R VI'I'EK lNl/EN TOR.-

United 7 States Patent HOME BOWLING TRAINER John P. Vitek, 5447 Lou Ida Blvd., Youngstown 9, Ohio Filed Mar. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 15,563

3 Claims. (Cl. 35-29) This invention relates to sporting apparatus and more particularly to a practice bowling device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bowling trainer for home use which will substantially increase the bowling skill of the user, and which simulates actual bowling conditions.

An other object of the present invention is to provide a home bowling trainer of the above type which permits the use of regulation bowling balls to simulate actual bowling conditions, and which includes self contained impact absorbing means for withstanding the force of a fully thrown bowling ball.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a home bowling trainer bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bowling trainer device made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view' of the device shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a target forming a part of the present invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, a bowling trainer device made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a main platform 12 which is adapted to be placed in a horizontal position upon a supporting surface. The opposite lateral sides of the main platform 12 are provided with upwardly extending rails 14 to define a channel within which the bowling ball is directed.

The opposite lateral sides of the innermost end of the main platform 12 are provided with a pair of inclined plane members 15, each having an upwardly and rearwardly directed surface 16 terminated at each end by stop elements 18. An impact absorbing roller 20, is provided with circumferential grooves 22 at each end which rollably receive the inclined plane surfaces 16 of the end plates 15 therewithin so as to guide such roller for reciprocating movement up and down along the length of the inclined surfaces 16 of the plates 15. Thus, a bowling ball striking the roller 20 with full force, transmits the kinetic energy thereof to the roller 20 so as to effect movement thereof upwardly along the inclined surfaces 16, thus releasing such energy in a controllable manner.

A target member 28, in the form of a rectangular plate having a central opening 30, is divided into quadrants and placed in a symmetrical relationship upon the center of the upper surface of the platform 12. A centeral opening 30 in the target plate 28 receives a bulls eye button 32 therethrough which may be used to actuate an audible signal in response to a bowling ball rolling over the top thereof. If desired, an electric calculating device 26 may be attached to the side of the platform for computing the score of each player as each ball is thrown into the target device. Thus, the rolling of a ball over the bulls eye button 32 may be awarded a high score of twenty points, for example, whereas any ball passing over one of the quadrants of the target plate 28 may be awarded a lower score, such as five points. Of course, such score may be visually observed without reference to an electrical computing device 26, and without requiring an audible signal device therefor.

Fouls may be indicated by the ball striking inwardly directed pressure sensitive devices 24 at the forward end of the platform 12, which laterally inwardly extending members 24 may be of any flexible or rigid material.

It will now be recognized that in actual use, the platform 12 is placed a selected distance away from the operator, who throws the ball at full force across the target 28. Such ball passing over the target may be scored, depending upon the position at which it passes the target, and such ball will come to rest after striking the roller 20 that absorbs the force of the moving ball in the manner hereinbefore described. The roller 20 is, at all times, limited for movement by the stops 18 at the opposite ends of the inclined surfaces 16.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A bowling and training device comprising, in combination, a main platform for placement in a horizontal position upon a supporting surface, impact absorbing means carried at one inner end of said main platform, laterally inwardly extending pressure sensitive foul indicators carried by the opposite end of said platform, target means carried by the upper surface of said main platform intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said main platform comprising a substantially flat panel having side rails extending along each side, said one inner end of said main platform including a pair of upwardly and rearwardly inclined surfaces rollably supporting said impact absorbing means thereupon, said impact absorbing means comprising a roller having a pair of longitudinally spaced apart circumferential grooves rollably receiving said inclined surfaces of said platform therewithin, said inclined surfaces supporting said roller for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main platform.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said foul indicators comprise a pair of inwardly projecting members integral with said opposite end of said platform projecting inwardly toward the path of movement of a ball thrown toward said target means.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said target means comprises a substantially rectangular plate having indicia defining four quadrants, said plate being removably supported centrally upon said main platform and having a central aperture receiving an upwardly extending positioning and contact button therethrough, engagement of a ball thrown at said target with said button indicating a perfect score.

I-Iaines Sept. 28, 1880 Osborn Feb. 12, 1946 

